Section: Physician Family Medicine
Q:
How can I make sure my children are getting sufficient nutrients and vitamins to stay healthy during the winter months?
A:
In the winter, when activity levels decrease and metabolism increases due to cold weather, parents may find their children wanting to eat more. These factors make it ever more important to provide for your children physical activities and have them eat not only a balanced diet, but a nutrient packed diet during winter time. Eat a Balanced Diet Plus A balanced diet is important – consisting of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats – in order to get all the nutrients the body needs to function. It is particularly important in the winter time to eat foods high in vitamins C, D, E, beta carotene (a form of vitamin A), and essential fatty acids. Vitamin ABeta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which helps keep eyes, skin, and bones healthy – all important factors to keep in mind when active outside during the winter. Beta-carotene is readily available in spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains. Vitamin CVitamin C helps boost immunity, promotes healing, and helps keep skin healthy. This water soluble vitamin is present in squash, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, citrus fruits and juices, cantaloupe, banana, kiwi, and strawberries. Vitamin DWithout vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, and soft. It’s important to get at least 15 minutes of sunlight everyday because Vitamin D is activated under our skin when we’re exposed to sunlight. There are also some dietary sources of vitamin D. Only a few foods naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D, including fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), cod liver oil, beef liver, and eggs. Fortified foods, such as milk, margarine, breakfast cereals, breads, crackers, cereal grain bars, are the major dietary sources of vitamin D. It is important to read the nutrition facts panel of the food label to determine whether a food provides vitamin D. Vitamin EVitamin E helps support red blood cells that carry oxygen to the tissues and organs throughout the body, which is especially important for the circulatory systems and cardiovascular health. A fat soluble vitamin, vitamin E is present in nuts, seeds, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains (especially wheat germ), fortified cereals, and apricots.
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Section: Physician Family Medicine
Q:
When is the best time to get a flu shot? What are some other ways to stay healthy during the winter months?
A:
The best way to avoid getting the flu is to get the influenza vaccine. You should get the vaccine when it becomes available each fall (in October or November), but you can also get it any time throughout the flu season (into December, January and beyond). The vaccine is available by shot or by nasal spray. The vaccines work by exposing your immune system to the flu virus. Your body will build up antibodies to the virus to protect you from getting the flu. The flu shot contains dead viruses. The nasal-spray vaccine contains live but weakened viruses. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot or the nasal-spray vaccine.
You can also reduce your risk of catching the flu by washing your hands frequently, which stops the spread of germs. Eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep also play a part in preventing the flu because they help boost your immune system.
If you are sick, make sure that you cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands often to prevent giving the flu to others.
Some people who get the vaccine will still get the flu, but they will usually get a milder case than people who aren't vaccinated. The vaccine is especially recommended for people who are more likely to get really sick from flu-related complications.
The following people should talk to their doctor before getting the flu shot: - People who have had an allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past
- People with an allergy to eggs
- People who previously developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a reversible reaction that causes partial or complete loss of movement of muscles, weakness or a tingling sensation in the body) within 6 weeks of getting a flu shot
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Section: Physician Family Medicine
Q:
i found a pill that is a white tablet, with 93-490 on one side, nothing on the other. can you please tell me what kind of pill it is?
A:
The pill you describe is most likely a mild narcotic pain reliever that contains propoxyphene napsylate and acetaminophen. The most common brand name for this medication is Darvocet-N100, but it is manufactured by numerous companies under a variety of generic names. I'm including a photograph of one of the generics for you to compare to the pill you have.
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Section: Physician Family Medicine
Q:
What is the best way to comfort a baby who's cutting teeth?
A:
Teething, the emergence of the first baby teeth through a baby's gums, can be a frustrating time for many babies - and their parents. There are several things you can do to make the process a little less painful for you and your child.If your child is uncomfortable, typical treatments include: · a teething aid, such as a wet washcloth, teething rings, etc. · teething biscuits · massaging or rubbing your baby's gums · a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if your infant is over six months old) · teething gels, such as Baby Orajel Nighttime Formula, Little Teethers Oral Pain Relief Gel, Baby Orajel Fast Teething Pain Relief, Baby Anbesol Oral Anesthetic Gel · Benadryl liquid rubbed on the gums often provides relief when nothing else will Keep in mind that teething gels and teething tablets are not recommended by many physicians and are often overused because parents confuse 'teething symptoms' with other problems such as viral infections, sleeping problems, and ear infections.
If you are frequently using any medication to comfort your child who you think is teething, double check with your child's physician to make sure that there isn't another cause for his or her symptoms.
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Section: Physician Family Medicine
Q:
What is the best thing to give my child when she has a fever? I often hesitate to give her medication, because I have heard that fever is actually fighting infection.
Is this true or do I need to give here medicine?
A:
Fevers are a sign that the body is fighting an infection, so you may want to avoid giving medicine if your child is running a low-grade (up to 100.2°F) fever. The main reason to treat your child is to make him or her feel better. When your child is achy and fussy or his of her temperature is above 100.2°F, you may want to give him or her some medicine. Put simply, "TREAT THE PATIENT, NOT THE NUMBER."Acetaminophen relieves pain and lowers fever. How much acetaminophen your child may need depends on his or her weight and age. Check the package label or ask your doctor about the correct dosage for your child. Ibuprofen will also relieve pain and lower fever, but should not be used if the child is less than 6 months old. There are also other ways to help your child feel better. Give your child plenty of fluids to drink to prevent dehydration (not enough fluid in the body) and help the body cool itself. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Keep the room temperature at about 70°F to 74°F. Dress your child in light cotton pajamas so that body heat can escape, and if your child is chilled, put on an extra blanket but remove it when the chills stop. Also, a lukewarm bath may also help. Used together, acetaminophen and a lukewarm bath may help lower a fever. Give the acetaminophen before the bath. If the bath is given alone, your child may start shivering as his or her body tries to raise its temperature again. This may make your child feel worse. Don't use alcohol or cold water for baths. Finally, call your doctor if your baby or child has any of these warning signs: constant vomiting or diarrhea; dry mouth; earache or pulling at ears; fever comes and goes over several days ; high-pitched crying; irritable; not hungry; pale; seizures; severe headache; skin rash; sore or swollen joints; sore throat; stiff neck; stomach pain; swelling of the soft spot on the head; unresponsive or limp; wheezing or problems breathing.
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